School food improvement programme for Hertfordshire

A school food improvement programme is set to launch in Hertfordshire in 2026, working with schools to improve the quality and culture of food throughout the school day.
 
The introduction of Nourish in Hertfordshire forms part of Hertfordshire County Council’s Public Health Prevention Investment Programme (PHIP), which is investing £2.9 million in initiatives that help people live well for longer. The programme is funded through the Department of Health and Social Care’s Public Health Grant. 
 
Run by charity School Food Matters, Nourish will deliver a three-year programme of school food transformation in 40 primary, secondary and SEND schools across Hertfordshire. The programme supports schools to create food environments that prioritise children’s nutrition, wellbeing and long-term health. 
 
The expansion follows more than five years of delivery in London, where Nourish has reached over 35,000 children and young people in 108 schools, helping to strengthen school food provision from breakfast to after-school clubs. 
 
The programme comes at an important time for Hertfordshire. Government findings show that nearly one in five children in Year 6 are living with obesity, and only 13% of children eat five portions of fruit and vegetables a day (Young People's Health & Wellbeing Survey 2024, National Child Measurement Programme 2024/25). Schools play a vital role in supporting children’s nutrition and wellbeing. Nourish helps schools to create food environments that drive meaningful change.  
 
Over three school terms, schools receive tailored support to strengthen food culture and create a positive food environment across the entire school day, including at breakfast clubs, lunchtimes and after-school programmes, as well as through food education in the classroom. Students, staff and families are involved throughout, helping schools build lasting change that reflects their community. 
 
Georgie Branch, Nourish Programme Manager at School Food Matters, said: “We’re delighted to be bringing Nourish to Hertfordshire. Over the past five years in London, we’ve seen how improving school food environments can make a real difference to children’s wellbeing and their relationship with food. This expansion allows us to build on that experience, working with schools and local partners to create food cultures that support all children to thrive.” 
 
Alongside Nourish, charity Chefs in Schools will deliver three cohorts of its Chef Educator Programme over the three-year project, as well as supporting a smaller number of schools with its intensive School Transformation Programme. The School Chef Educator Programme equips school kitchen teams with professional cooking skills, the latest techniques and up to date nutritional knowledge through a mix of in person and online sessions. The School Transformation Programme provides in-depth, hands-on support to transform a school's food culture from the ground up. 
 
Nicole Pisani, Chief Innovation Officer and co-founder of Chefs in Schools, said: "School chefs are the unsung heroes of children's food experiences, and we know that when they're properly supported and valued, they can transform what's on the plate every single day. We're thrilled to be working with school kitchen teams across Hertfordshire to elevate their practice and build their confidence to create food that children genuinely love. This partnership with School Food Matters will help ensure more children in the county have access to excellent school food that supports their health and happiness." 
 
Evaluation of the programme and engagement with children, young people and families will be led by the University of Hertfordshire, ensuring local insight and children’s voices help shape delivery and learning. 
 
Lead researcher on the project Rebecca O’Connell, Professor of Food, Families and Society at the University of Hertfordshire, said: "Poor diets are a major driver of health inequalities in the UK. With children and young people spending most of their time in educational settings, schools can play a vital role in helping to improve what children eat and ultimately make a difference to their diets and everyday lives. But many schools are already struggling to juggle tight budgets and competing priorities. It’s why additional and expert support to strengthen their food culture is much needed. 
  
The charity School Food Matters has been helping schools to engage children, families and staff in in whole school food improvement since it was founded in 2007 and achieving great outcomes as a result. We are delighted to be working with them and Hertfordshire County Council, supported by our fantastic Young People's Advisory Group, to centre children's expertise in the evaluation of the Nourish Herts programme and support this brilliant initiative for the health and wellbeing of children and young people across the county." 
 
Sarah Perman, Director of Public Health, Hertfordshire County Council, said: “We are delighted to be partnering with School Food Matters to deliver the Nourish Hertfordshire programme, working with 40 schools across the county over a three-year period. The programme will work with participating schools, their pupils and staff to improve the school food environment. By harnessing the benefits of healthy school food, it aims to reduce health inequalities among children and young people across Hertfordshire and to establish a clear, lasting framework for ongoing school food improvement throughout the county.” 
 
In addition to Hertfordshire, Nourish has also been funded in Birmingham, Cumberland, Rural Lancashire and Cheshire West and Chester, supporting its continued expansion beyond London.